"Write more fully!" echoed Montgomery. "What can there be left to write about?"
"He is explicit," said the attorney, "but it is best to know all the conditions
before you decide. Have you made up your mind?"
Brewster sat for a long time, staring hard at the floor. A great struggle
was going on in his mind.
"It's a gamble, and a big one," he said at last, squarinq his shoulders,
"but I'll take it. I don't want to appear disloyal to my grand father, but
I think that even he would advise me to accept. Yes, you may write Mr. Jones
that I accept the chance."
The attorneys complimented him on his nerve, and wished him success. Brewster
turned with a smile.
"I'll begin by asking what you think a reasonable fee for an attorney in
a case of this kind. I hope you will act for me."
"You don't want to spend it all in a lump, do you?" asked Mr. Grant, smiling.
"We can hardly act as counsel for both you and Mr. Jones."
"But I must have a lawyer, and the will limits the number of my confidants.
What am I to do?"
"We will consult Mr. Jones in regard to the question. It is not regular,
you see, but I apprehend no legal difficulties. We cannot accept fees from
both sides, however," said Mr. Grant.
"But I want attorneys who are willing to help me. It won't be a help if you
decline to accept my money."
"We'll resort to arbitration," laughed Ripley.
Before night Montgomery Brewster began a career that would have startled
the world had the facts been known. With true loyalty to the "Little Sons
of the Rich," he asked his friends to dinner and opened their eyes.
"Champagne!" cried Harrison, as they were seated at table. "I can't remember
the last time I had champagne."
"Naturally," laughed "Subway" Smith. "You couldn't remember anything after
that."
As the dinner progressed Brewster explained that he intended to double his
fortune within a year. "I'm going to have some fun, too," he said, "and you
boys are to help me."
"Nopper" Harrison was employed as "superintendent of affairs"; Elon Gardner
as financial secretary; Joe Bragdon as private secretary; "Subway" Smith
as counsel, and there were places in view for the other members.
"I want the smartest apartment you can find, Nopper," he commanded. "Don't
stop at expense. Have Pettingill redecorate it from top to bottom. Get the
best servants you can find. I'm going to live, Nopper, and hang the
consequences."
